Freiburg City Forest - Germany

Steigerwald - Germany

Staufen Municipality Forest - Germany

Bohemian Forest - Czech Republic

Loch Vaa Forest - Scotland

Bavarian Forest - Germany

Exemplary Forests – Switzerland

Communal forest of Couvet

Location:

Communal forest of Couvet, Val-de-Travers, Canton of Neuchâtel

Area: 180 ha

Administrated today as part of the Forest District No. 6 of the canton of Neuchâtel, at Fleurier

Main Character:

Couvet communal forest is treated since 1890 with the plenter system (selection forest system) initiated by Henry Biollet, jointly with the Control sampling Method. It has been applied uninterrupted up to now. It’s one of the best examples of the good practice of the plenter system for fir-spruce-beech mixed forests at mountainous elevation.

Two compartments on a north and south slope allow exemplifying the influence of aspect, as important site factor, on stand development. Results of the treatment are aptly documented from 16 successive full inventory form the Control Method. Economic results are available too. A well documented teaching trail is utilisable for visits (didactic trail guide downloadbar).

LES COTTARDS, Private Forest, Swiss Jura Mountain

The management aim for the existing spruce-fir selection forest is to optimise the net revenue within the limits given by close to nature management principles. Since the profitability of the forest depends on the wood market, the quality and quantity of the provided wood and operating costs, foresters expect that the market for high quality timber will prevail and bring the highest revenue on the long run. The owner on the other hand can influence both the quantity and the quality of wood production and has chosen two strategies to improve profitability:

In the short term, using the selection treatment and the Control Method : to produce 1 to 2% of class A timber, 85% class B and industrial and fuel wood for remains;

In the long term, in addition to regular silvicultural treatement : restructuring the wood factory for producing more than 60% class A and 25% class B timber.